Rudy Giuliani faces Arizona indictment on his 80th birthday
On his 80th birthday, Rudy Giuliani was served with an indictment linked to an alleged plan to challenge the 2020 election outcome in Arizona. The notice came from Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, marking a significant development in the legal proceedings against Giuliani.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced on Friday that Rudy Giuliani was officially served with notice of his indictment. Mayes, a Democrat, made the announcement in a post on X where Giuliani was tagged. Mayes emphasized that "nobody is above the law."
The summons is a formal notice that informs a defendant they have been criminally charged and need to appear before a judge. Richie Taylor, a spokesperson for Mayes, mentioned to CNN that the attorney general's office had been attempting to find Giuliani for weeks.
Caroline Wren, a GOP operative and adviser to Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake, shared with CNN that she was hosting Giuliani's 80th birthday party in Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday evening when he was served with the summons.
An attendee at the party mentioned to CNN that two agents from the Arizona attorney general's office served papers to Giuliani as he was leaving the birthday celebration late at night. The attendee noted that many guests appeared upset by the incident.
Giuliani's spokesperson, Ted Goodman, stated that the former mayor was not bothered by the attempt to embarrass him during his 80th birthday party. Goodman mentioned that Giuliani had a great time at the party surrounded by hundreds of people who support him, and they are hopeful for a positive outcome soon.
MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE - JANUARY 21: Rudy Giuliani speaks to members of the media where Republican candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was scheduled to host a campaign event on January 21, 2024 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Gov. DeSantis has suspended his presidential campaign and is endorsing Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Rudy Giuliani was seen talking to reporters in Manchester, New Hampshire on January 21. The event was originally planned for Republican candidate Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has decided to suspend his presidential campaign. Instead, he is now endorsing former President Donald Trump.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images/File
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CNN has reached out to Mayes’ office for comment.
On Friday evening, Giuliani posted a cheeky tweet with a photo of himself and his friends. He jokingly said that if Arizona authorities couldn't find him by the next morning, they would have to drop the charges and admit they couldn't count votes.
Hours after his tweet, Giuliani was officially served with the indictment.
Giuliani is scheduled to be in Phoenix on Tuesday for an arraignment, unless the court grants him a delay.
He is one of the former President Donald Trump's allies who were indicted in Arizona last month. They were indicted along with 11 individuals who pretended to be GOP electors from the state during the 2020 presidential election.
CNN has identified the individual as Giuliani, who is accused in the indictment of spreading false claims of voter fraud after the 2020 election. He falsely stated that Arizona officials did not verify the accuracy of the vote and urged Republican electors in multiple states to vote for Trump-Pence on December 14, 2020.
Former Trump lawyer John Eastman was the first defendant in the Arizona case to appear in court. He pleaded not guilty in Phoenix on charges related to allegedly participating in a conspiracy to overturn the election results. Other defendants, including Giuliani, are expected to appear in court in the coming weeks.
Giuliani's legal troubles continue to mount, with the Arizona indictment being the latest issue he faces. This comes after his bankruptcy filing in New York following a jury's decision to make him pay almost $150 million to two former Georgia election workers for defamatory statements.
In addition to these challenges, Giuliani is also an unindicted co-conspirator in Trump's federal election subversion case. He is facing 13 charges in the Georgia election subversion case and is being sued for defamation by Dominion and Smartmatic, voting technology companies that he falsely accused of rigging the 2020 election.
CNN’s Zachary Cohen and Holmes Lybrand contributed to this report.
Editor's P/S:
Rudy Giuliani's indictment in Arizona, coupled with his ongoing legal battles, highlights the consequences facing those who undermine the integrity of our elections. Mayes's unwavering stance that "nobody is above the law" sends a clear message that attempts to subvert democracy will not be tolerated. Giuliani's indictment is a testament to the importance of holding accountable those who spread misinformation and incite violence, especially in the aftermath of a divisive election.
Giuliani's continued legal challenges serve as a reminder of the far-reaching impact of his actions. His association with Trump and his role in promoting false claims about the 2020 election have not only resulted in indictments but have also damaged his reputation and financial stability. His bankruptcy filing and the defamation lawsuits against him underscore the personal and financial consequences of spreading false information and attempting to undermine the democratic process.
